Creativity. It drives us to do things differently, develop new ideas, and push boundaries. But sometimes, outside forces or roadblocks stifle our creativity. Here are five of the most common creativity roadblocks and how you can move past them and get back to being creative:

• You are afraid to fail.

It’s no secret that creativity and risk-taking go hand-in-hand. But what often gets left out of the equation is a failure. That’s right – failure is an essential part of the creative process. Without it, we would never know what does and doesn’t work. We would never push ourselves to try new things or think outside the box. So, if you tend to play it safe, it might be time to rethink your approach.

Instead of seeing failure as a bad thing, try to see it as a learning experience. And instead of avoiding risks, embrace them. It can help you learn and grow.

Learn to see failure in a different light. Redefine creativity as a series of experiments. Push yourself outside your comfort zone. Go ahead and experiment – you might just be surprised by what you come up with.

In this way, failure is no longer an endpoint but simply a step along the path to success. By embracing failure, we can open ourselves up to new possibilities, and creativity can flourish again.

• You don’t have enough time.

It’s no secret that creativity and stress don’t mix. Most people are familiar with the feeling of being overwhelmed by their to-do list. Whether you’re trying to come up with a new idea for work or struggling to find a solution to a problem, creativity often seems to flow more freely when we’re not under the gun.

The ticking clock is one of the biggest creativity killers out there. Relaxing and letting your creativity flow can be challenging if you constantly feel you’re running out of time.

One surprising way to find more time is to schedule some chill-out time in your diary. Prioritising downtime to listen to music, meditate, or sit quietly can help reduce stress and open the creativity channel.  Carving out some time for relaxation can help to jumpstart your creativity.

So if you’re feeling pressure to be creative, don’t forget to give yourself a little break first. You might find the creative juices flowing again.

• You’re still staring at the screen. 

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent a fair share of time staring at a blank page or screen, desperately searching for creativity. And let me tell you, it’s not an effective way to get the creative juices flowing. Sitting in front of a computer or blank page is more likely to lead to creativity-induced paralysis than it is to inspire brilliance.

So what’s the secret to unlocking creativity? The answer may surprise you: it’s movement. That’s right, getting up and moving around is one of the best things you can do to jumpstart creativity. Walking has been shown to boost creativity, so take a stroll around the block and let your mind wander.  Next time you feel stuck, don’t force it – go for a walk instead.

It may also be a time for a change of scenery. Not only will a change of scenery help you disconnect from whatever keeps you bogged down, but it can also refresh your mind and provide the perfect conditions for creativity to flourish. Trust us; a little fresh air can do wonders for your creativity.  So next time you’re feeling blocked, don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit and see what new horizons might open up for you.

• You’re feeling negative.

Creativity is a funny thing. The most unexpected things can spark it, and it often comes when we least expect it. But did you know that negative thinking can stop creativity in its tracks? That’s right; if you’re sitting there frowning and thinking you can’t do it, you’re guaranteeing you won’t be able to do it.

The best way to overcome negative thinking is to catch yourself in the act and turn your thoughts around. Instead of telling yourself that you can’t do it, try saying that you can. It might seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference in your creativity.

Moreover, give yourself a little pep talk instead of letting that self-defeating attitude take over. Remind yourself that you’re capable of doing great work and that the first draft isn’t always the best. Promise yourself you’ll start creating and see where it takes you. Who knows, you might surprise yourself! So get rid of that negativity and get ready to be creative!

The four creativity roadblocks we explored are a few of the most common. If you’re feeling creatively blocked, look at this list and see if any of these issues keep you from producing your best work. Fortunately, there are ways to move past every one of them. Let us know which ones worked for you and how you did it. We’d love to hear about your success.